Rhône Theme
Timed Online Auction, 13 - 20 February 2023
Rhône Theme
About the SessionThe first sale of the 2023 Strauss & Co Fine Wine Auction calendar is an exciting Rhône valley and Rhône-style offering.
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About this Item
An Incredibly rare opportunity to purchase very early vintages of South Africa's Iconic Red.
Columella is named after the ancient Roman writer who produced perhaps the earliest good treatise on viticulture in his De re rustica. Starting in 2000, Eben's goal was to produce the finest expression of the Swartland and today Columella is South Africa's most coveted red wine.
Provenance
Private Client
Critics Ratings
Dark and alluring, with currant paste, fig sauce and dark plum notes that glide over rich but fine-grained tannins. Hints of mesquite, melted licorice and bittersweet ganache fill out the finish. Has plenty of length and concentration. This should fill out with moderate cellaring. Syrah and Mourvèdre.' - Wine Spectator 94/100
'Watermark quality: each berry selected, long cool ferment/extended maceration, basket press, 2 years French oak, 60% new. '06 is a triumph; fabulous layered textures, lancing allspice tension in ever-evolving harmony. Shiraz and 20% Mourvèdre.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2009, 4.5*
'Highly perfumed nose with time in the glass. Dry and such amazing finesse. Very finely textured like strong paper. Beautiful. Dark and subtle. Really light handed and yet long. Mineral, earthy, dry, savoury integrity. It is dense, but not heavy, oak swallowed by the quality of the fruit.' - Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com, 18/20 (May 2009)